//------------------------------// // A Villainous Interlude // Story: Galaxia's Equestria // by pchn00 //------------------------------// A Villainous Interlude “B— but my King, at the rate we’re losing workers…” Sombra glowered at the trembling crystal pony mare he’d chosen as his current aide. He went through them so fast it seemed. Of course even when he grew tired of them they still had their uses. “I don’t care how quickly you lazy crystal ponies expire. All that matters is you keep mining my gems! We’ve been over this time and again!” The beleaguered mare bowed low enough that her muzzle was grinding against the floor. “O— of course King Sombra. I’ll… inform the overseers that the work shifts aren’t to change.” His frown deepened as she hesitated to depart. “What else?” “W— well Sire, it’s the miners. They’re hearing noises again, and say they see monsters in the mines. The overseers are… are requesting additional golems to patrol.” He regarded her silently for a moment. “Tell me, Emerald Dream, do you know much of the golem making process?” At his surprisingly soft change of tone, Emerald blinked up at him. “I… W— well no, my King, I’m afraid I don’t.” Sombra nodded slowly, as if expecting her answer. “Come with me. I do enjoy educating my subjects.” The mare couldn’t suppress a shiver as Sombra’s horn flared with cruel-looking purple magic. The wall to her right began to glow the same deep purple color before it simply vanished. “Follow me.” The unicorn King set a brisk pace through the new opening, his aide having no choice but to follow close behind. “Do you know why I covet the crystals in the caverns so?” Again she blinked at the King’s question. “N— no King Sombra. Because they’re pleasing to the eye, I assumed.” He shook his head with a deep chuckle. “Not at all. Crystals, you see, hold power. Not all of them. In fact, it’s very rare to come across the sort I’m looking for. But every now and again, the miners bring me precisely what I await. Before my banishment, I strove to collect them for my own gains. To expand my power and dethrone the usurper alicorn sisters, restoring the true royalty to the Equestrian throne.” “Y— you, Sire?” Now he smiled back at her. “Very good. Yes, Emerald Dream, I am the great great grandson of Princess Platinum herself. The Equestrian throne should have been mine to rule! Instead, those freaks just bullied their way into power! Declared themselves Princesses!” Her ears splayed back as his voice rose, but she ignored her fear, pushing onward behind the mad King. “Now however, I’ve come to see the error of my ways. Our glorious Queen Galaxia is working to put things right. The tribes are where they belong, and she has gifted me not just a kingdom, but an entire empire. Soon we’ll expand, resettle the old cities.” Feeling herself growing braver, Emerald cleared her throat softly. “But my King, if you work all the crystal ponies to death in the mines, who will settle the cities?” Sombra smiled to her again, but this time it had a sinister cast to it. “They will, of course.” He revealed another hidden door, lifting Emerald with his magic and carrying the now struggling mare through. Her flailing ceased at the sight before her. Dozens, hundreds, maybe even thousands of crystal golems stood staring vacantly into the space directly before them. Though they lacked the telltale glow of an active golem. The chamber descended in a steep decline, leading toward some sort of massive furnace at the center. “I do apologize; I didn’t bring you down here for you to listen to me ramble on about my plans for the future. I was going to show you how the golems are made.” Sombra walked casually down a narrow staircase, toward the center of the huge chamber. Emerald’s struggles increased as Sombra nudged the door to the furnace open, revealing a roaring blue fire. Without so much as a second thought he heaved the mare into the furnace, slamming the door shut. Emerald Dream had time for one long, drawn out wail before the flames consumed her physical body entirely, leaving a small floating orb of green mana. Once more, the King opened the door, this time guiding the soul of the deceased mare into the nearest golem. The soul struggled futilely as it was forced into the shell, but it was absorbed instantly once touched the crystalline body. The lifeless golem jerked its head upright as its body began to glow a radiant emerald hue. Sombra tilted his head curiously as the golem’s eyes looked from side to side frantically, before his horn glowed once more. A rune on the golem’s forehead glowed to match as he removed the pony’s personality. “And now you know. I suppose you can head to the mines as the first of several new golem patrols. Off with you, now.” The golem turned on its hooves, walking unerringly to the mine. Sombra returned to his throne room, sealing the golem chamber behind himself. “Now to find a new aide…” “Lord Whiteskull, the newest batch has arrived.” “Aha! Excellent!” The Lich had been settling in quite well to Galaxia’s regime. She allowed him free reign to pursue his research any way he wished, and her only stipulation was that to the ponies of Equestria he appear as a living unicorn. If he were being completely honest with himself, he’d actually come to like his noble Lord persona. Flashing his assistant a toothy grin, he made for the lower floors of his keep. “How many, Sand Stone?” The earth pony stallion flipped through a clipboard. “Well the attack on the resistance had plenty of casualties of course, but we managed to bring back thirty live ones.” “Thirty!? Wonderful! Why, that will keep me busy for months! Oh how I love the resistance! Traitors to the Crown, and they lose all their rights. Meaning they’re free game! Haha! I love it!” Used to his Lord’s eccentricities, Sand Stone only smiled back. He was one of the few ponies who knew his lord’s true nature, and he certainly had no intention of winding up in the Lich’s laboratory himself. He’d served his lord well for five long years; eventually he’d grown numb to the screams and pleas for help. He considered himself lucky to have such a prestigious position, but his lord curiously seemed to lack the racism inherent in much of the nobility. Of course, to Lord Whiteskull, everypony was equal. Unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies… all were ‘fair game’. After his minions’ constant failures to capture the pure-blooded alicorn Umbra, he’d been forced to resume his search for living immortality using his old methods. Methods that were far easier to carry out now that Celestia and Luna’s watchful eyes were away from their precious little ponies. Undeath was not without its advantages—It’d allowed him to survive as long as he had after all—but he was beginning to miss the taste of food. The feel of the sun on his skin. The touch of a mare. He would have sighed if he were capable of drawing air into his long-dead lungs. Shaking off the uncommon melancholy, his cheer returned. He had new subjects! Sand Stone heaved the door to the dungeons open, allowing his lord to enter undisturbed. The Lich considered him a moment. It was strangely pleasant having a living pony about. Almost like he had a friend again. It had been so long since he could remember what that felt like. Sure, the stallion served out of fear of winding up on an exam table, but maybe that would change in time. “Sand Stone, do you know the purpose of my research?” “Immortality, My Lord?” “Yes! Yes, precisely that. As everypony knows, the invisible force we all draw our mana from is called ‘harmony’. It’s taught even to earth pony foals, yes?” At his assistant’s nod, he continued. “Well I had a thought one day. What if the secret to Luna and Celestia’s immortality was simply that they shared the attributes of all three tribes? They would draw from harmony like an earth pony, a pegasus, and a unicorn all at the same time. It is this sort of internal harmony that I believe is the key to everlasting life.” To the Lich’s pleasure, Sand Stone nodded along. He was a bright stallion, it would seem. “That makes sense I suppose, My Lord. That’s all that set them apart from anypony else, after all.” “Yes! Yes, precisely!” Grinning cheerfully now, the Lich once again was pleased with his foresight of releasing Sand Stone from Galaxia’s inane spell. An assistant who actually understood what he was trying to achieve was of far more use than some gibbering doltish farmer. He would never understand Galaxia’s asinine insistence on clinging to the old archaic ways of doing things. All three pony tribes had made amazing strides in both magic and scientific technology. Sand Stone was one of the top engineers to graduate from Manehattan University. “I’m afraid I haven’t studied much magic my lord, but it’s impossible for a pony to change tribes isn’t it?” “Typically, yes. Only the Princesses were capable of such a feat, and Celestia selfishly refused to share the technique with me. I was forced to turn to my own methods, as you’ve seen.” Sand Stone tried, but failed to suppress a shiver, a gesture the Lich didn’t miss. “Don’t worry about offending me. I know my condition is horrific. It’s why my research is so important to me now.” Nodding slowly, his assistant cast his gaze about the zombie ponies shambling here and there. “If you find it so abhorrent, why keep them around?” “Convenient labor sources for the most part. And Galaxia demands I contribute to her military. Sombra has those creepy golems, and Chrysalis just spews a dozen drones to send to Canterlot every week.” “Well here we are, My Lord.” The Lich surveyed his nearly overflowing cells, smiling grandly at the terrified ponies held within. For the most part, they were earth ponies, but he had his ways of getting ahold of unicorns and pegasi both. Ponies were always committing crimes, regardless of tribe. His gaze settled on one specific mare. Cream colored, with a blue and pink curly mane. A cutie mark of three candies adorned her flank. If he still had a beating heart, it would be pounding. This creature was gorgeous! Magnificent! “…Have her brought to the dining room, Sand Stone. See that she’s given a proper meal, then prepare my first subject for testing.” Again, his assistant couldn’t hide his surprise. “Ah… w— well, yes My Lord, very well.” Opening the cell, he motioned to the mare in question. “You heard Lord Whiteskull, let’s go.” Her progress was halted as the Lich lifted a hoof to stop her. “What is your name?” She blinked large crystalline blue eyes at him. “B— bon-bon… I— I won’t betray my friends!” Tilting his head, the Lich shrugged. “I don’t care one bit about the resistance. My only interest in pursuing you folk is to keep the Queen from nagging in my ear. But it’s been sometime since my keep had a mare about. I invite you to be my guest, Miss Bon-bon.” Her first instinct was to spit in his face… but seeing the undead ponies shuffling about, she couldn’t remain brave for long. “I… what about them?” She nodded back to the cells. Brow raised, the Lich regarded the other prisoners. “Well they’re traitors to the crown, the sentence is execution. …however, I can promise to make their ends painless.” Eyes watering now, as she looked to the ponies she’d grown close to over the years. One and all, they either nodded to her or made shooing motions. Lowering her eyes, she simply nodded. “I accept your invitation.” “Wonderful! Now Sand Stone, see that she gets a proper meal, then meet me in the lab! We have miracles to perform!” Bowing, the stallion ushered Bon-bon from the prison. The Lich watched them go, feeling his spirits only rise. He was even humming as he trotted into his laboratory, giving a little yelp as he slipped in a pool of blood on the floor. “You!” He motioned angrily to one of the mindless zombies. “I thought I told you to clean the floors! Get to it!” Moaning softly, the undead stallion retrieved a mop and set to work. Shaking his head, the Lich began to prepare his latest experiment. “Perhaps I should keep more living ponies about. One Sand Stone has been a godsend, three or four could be even better.” Queen Chrysalis surveyed her hive with mixed emotions. On the one hoof, it had expanded exponentially in the past five years. Galaxia allowed her children to grow and annex whatever land she deemed necessary to the hive’s needs, so long as she didn’t harass any unicorns. She turned away from her drones’ busy ministrations, to the hundreds of cocoons suspended from the walls and ceilings, each bearing a pony that was being harvested for sustenance. Quietly, she strode through the twisting tunnels and caverns to the hatchery. This was the future of not only the hive, but her entire race in general. To the best of her knowledge, she was the last changeling queen in the world, let alone Equestria. Either by her own hoof, or at the claws, talons, or fangs of others, her fellows had been whittled away until only she remained. Her heart always sank at the sight of the hatchery. Of the dozens of eggs, only a scant few showed any signs of life. She could try to blame it on inferior males or random changes in the mana of Equestria, but she knew the simple truth. Her people were starving. Changelings can feed on any emotion, good or bad. Just as a large apple provided more sustenance than a grape however, pleasant emotions were far more filling than negative. Her people had been forced to scrape by on misery and woe for five years, and it was finally beginning to show. Under Galaxia’s rule, the earth pony tribe were little more than slaves; unsurprisingly enough, this lot in life was not conducive to happy, love filled hearts. Certainly, families still loved and cared for one another, but lately fewer and fewer earth ponies were bothering to wed or have foals. It was as if they had begun to give up. She knew the answer before she asked, but even so, she asked the drone caring for the eggs the same thing every day. “Has there been any change?” Fearing his queen’s wrath, but knowing that not answering would be worse, he shook his head. “No, Queen Chrysalis. Maybe one in twenty eggs is surviving. The rest…” He trailed off, not needing to verbalize their plight. She wasn’t even angry anymore. Lashing out at them didn’t help her children any. “I see. Please continue your duties as best you’re able.” He bowed as she departed. Wings flicked open as she lazily carried herself above the general hustle and bustle of her hive, toward her personal chambers. To her surprise, the royal consort was there. He was a large male who had distinguished himself as one of strength and power some time ago, when he rather valiantly repelled a minotaur invasion of the hive almost all on his own. Tall and strong, clad in the armor she had personally crafted for him. She had to admit, she found his presence comforting at times. “I didn’t send for you.” He inclined his head. “I beg your forgiveness, my Queen. But I have chanced upon a rather… unique opportunity. I wished to bring it to your attention immediately.” “Oh?” Now her interest was piqued. He’d been given the assignment to infiltrate the pony resistance, and report their location to her, who would then relay it to Galaxia. “About the resistance? Whiteskull has already crushed them.” He shook his head once. “Again, I beg you forgive me, but you are incorrect. Initially they chased them deeper into the tunnels. I accompanied them myself for a time. Eventually the force—mostly undead—chased the stragglers to a massive cavern. There was… a woman there.” Chrysalis furrowed her brow. “A woman? You mean a mare?” “No, my Queen, a human woman. With both wings and a horn like Queen Galaxia. Only she was young. Clad in gleaming armor and wielding a mighty blade, she swept the undead away nearly effortlessly. The living soldiers she released, telling them to deliver a message to Galaxia.” “Did you hear this message?” He nodded once. “I did, my Queen. She told them to tell Galaxia the Order of Harmony will not let the subjugation of Equestria continue, and that her days on the throne were numbered.” The changeling monarch settled on her haunches, eyes closed and deep in thought. “The woman, her weapon. Was it pink?” “Ah… Yes in fact. Her armor as well. At first I dismissed her presence, as she was dressed so… ridiculously. But the way she fought, I am ashamed to admit I fled rather than face her blade myself.” “You did well to retreat; she is a mighty foe, if it is indeed who I believe it to be. It was my understanding Galaxia had slain her, however.” “She didn’t fight alone either, Highness. A powerful sorceress wielding an enchanted staff wove spells the likes of which I’d never seen before. A unicorn mare at her side bore twin blades, using them almost to as devastating effect as the woman’s own sword.” Chrysalis was older than she let on. She was familiar with the Order of Harmony. She’d not been around during the height of the order’s power, but she’d been a young hatchling when it fell. Still she heard tell of its power and knew that the knights were a force to be reckoned with. She opened her eyes, regarding her consort steadily. “Prepare to depart. You will escort me to this cavern.” Eyes popped wide open as her consort sputtered. “M— my Queen!? You seek these warriors out willingly? I— Please do not take this the wrong way, but not even your considerable power can match them.” Scowling now, Chrysalis rose. “I know that, fool. We’re not going to fight.” She gazed from her chambers at her massive, but struggling hive. “We go to offer an alliance.” Her Divine Majesty, Queen Galaxia, rose from her massive bed, stretching languidly. Her wings spread wide as she yawned away the night’s drowsiness. She had barely moved to the edge of her bed before her slippers and dress robe were hovering in the air. She simply lifted her arms from her sides as her chambermaid dressed her. “Your bath is ready, my Queen.” Galaxia spared the young unicorn mare a brief glance. She talked like a person, even behaved like one at times. But even the superior unicorn tribe were still simply animals at the end of the day. “Heated properly this time? I can’t stand a bath any less than near to boiling.” The mare nodded. “Yes, my Queen.” She followed several steps behind as her Queen strolled to the royal bath chambers. “Would you like to go over the day’s schedule?” Reaching her tub, she lifted her arms, not having to wait as the mare removed the robe she’d just placed upon the queen, careful to avert her eyes. Gazing upon Galaxia while she was undressed was punishable by death. “I suppose we can, if you feel the need to do so. What was your name again?” The pale pink mare suppressed a sigh. “Page Turner, Divine Majesty.” She’d been Galaxia’s chambermaid and primary assistant for nearly a year now. “Ah yes, that was it. Very well Page, you may tell me the day’s schedule.” Nodding once, she levitated a clipboard before her nose. “Delegates from Griffonia wish to discuss the proposed peace treaty over breakfast.” “No. I never conduct business so early. Schedule it for this afternoon.” The griffons would see it as an insult, but Page knew Galaxia wouldn’t care. “Very well. You’re scheduled to appear at the grand cathedral. The High Priestess has prepared your throne for you to oversee the evening mass.” Now that was a duty the Queen enjoyed. Temples existed in every town and city, dedicated to praising her name. “Well of course I’ll be there promptly for that. What time?” “Ten o’clock, Divine Majesty.” “Ah good, good. Nothing before ten, as always. And this evening?” “The captain of the guard has requested you refresh the spells on the Juggernaut’s armor. Apparently he’s been growing restless again, and last time it happened…” Galaxia waved a hand dismissively. “I recall the damage he did. Very well. I’ll be sure to pay a visit to the barracks and bring the unruly beast back in line. If he wasn’t so powerful, I’d have him executed. Anything else?” “Only the dinner with the Sheik of Saddle Arabia. A dinner you’ve postponed three days in a row now. He’s growing impatient.” “Bah. His impatience is of no concern to me. Still, I suppose I have no other plans this evening. I’ll dine with the horse.” Page’s ears splayed at the use of the term ‘horse’ to describe so important a pony, but she knew better than to correct the Queen. “That’s all for today, Divine Majesty. Will you be stepping out for a morning visit today?” Galaxia abruptly rose from the tub, forcing Page to hastily look away. The unicorn used a simple drying charm, then held her Queen’s actual clothes for the day up for her. She didn’t look again until Galaxia was dressed. “Yes, I think I will. It’s been nearly a week since I saw her last. Try to keep my kingdom from falling apart for an hour, won’t you?” “Of course. I’ll inform the griffon ambassador of the new time for the meeting in the interim. Have a pleasant morning divine majesty.” Without sparing Page a second glance, Galaxia strode past her, and back to her bedchambers. Sealing the doors behind herself, she turned her attention to the sun just cresting the horizon. Eyes closed, she reached within herself, feeling a connection with the celestial body and willing herself up to it. When next she opened her eyes, she was standing on the roiling, blazing surface of the sun. Striding across it casually, as if she were in the Canterlot Gardens, she walked toward the small cottage that seemed to rise from the flames of the sun itself. Allowing herself a grimace at the almost obnoxiously humble dwelling her eldest had created herself, she entered without bothering to knock. The interior was nearly identical to any home you’d find in an earth pony village. Galaxia knew it was comprised of the suns flames, but it looked like she was standing on a wooden floor. The furniture appeared to be actual cloth upholstery rather than roiling sun stuff. Her frown deepened as she beheld her eldest. The white coated mare stood taller than she did if you included the former Princess’ horn. “Celestine, why do you insist on gallivanting about as one of those animals?” Celestia raised a brow casually, looking up from the book she’d been reading. “And good morning to you mother, a pleasure to see you as always.” There was no sarcasm or venom in her words. An observer would think it was indeed just a pleasant exchange between mother and daughter. “Yes, yes, good morning Celestine. Can’t you wear your proper form while I’m here?” “This is my proper form, mother. I stopped being Celestine centuries ago. You don’t use your human name I’ve noticed.” “Names hold power, Celestine. As you well know. I’ve no intention of giving those little beasts even the slimmest chance of upsetting the order I’ve established.” Gently, Celestia closed the book, allowing it to vanish back from wherever she’d conjured it. She strode past the human woman to her kitchen. “Tea?” “No thank you, I can’t stay long this time. I just wanted to… check up on you. I don’t understand why you live in such mundane accommodations. Your sister crafted an entire palace for herself on the moon.” “Yes, well, Luna was driven mad at the time. Having to seal away her own mother was a bit much for the poor dear. She was only sixteen after all.” Slowly she looked around her cottage. “I like living here, anyhow. Doesn’t it look familiar?” Galaxia scowled faintly as she realized the cottage was indeed identical to the home she shared with her daughters in the human realm, so many years ago. She brushed aside the unpleasant thoughts and rearranged her features to an impassive mask. ”Mmm. Lucinda was always such a sensitive girl, I suppose. Still, I know it was she who whispered in your ear about conspiring against me. We should be ruling together. It brings me no joy to keep you girls prisoners like this.” “Luna and I will never stop working to free our little ponies, mother. You know that.” The queen snorted softly. “And where has that thinking gotten you, hm? Trapped up here where you can’t affect anything. My agents have located the rebellion, you know? By now they’ve no doubt been stamped out.” Celestia turned her gaze out the window, looking down upon the world below. “You underestimate them, mother. Just as you always have.” Pouring a cup of tea for herself, the former Princess returned to her seat. “Have you been to see Luna yet?” “Your sister wouldn’t allow me within her palace last time I tried to visit.” “She took your fall very hard. She loved you dearly, mother. As did I. It’s not too late to turn away from the path you’ve chosen. You’ve done many horrible things, but you can put them right before it’s too late.” Now Galaxia laughed. “Oh Celestine, poor deluded Celestine. Even with your pet monster, it still took the two of you and that meddling unicorn to seal me away. I’m not overly worried about being bested by a herd of uppity horses. Most of whom don’t even have proper magic. Now I believe I’ll be going. I’ve a kingdom to run.” “Mother.” Galaxia turned to regard Celestia, a trifle surprised at the hardness in her voice. “They will stop you. And I only pray you survive when they do.” Finding it hard to laugh off the steeliness in her daughter's’ voice, Galaxia simply frowned and willed herself away. Not to Canterlot however. She appeared on the moon before the Lunar Palace’s doors. A gentle frown found her face as she regarded the bas-relief carvings on the doors. Depicting she and her daughters’ arrival to Equestria… and her subsequent abandoning of them. No doubt both would have perished if not for the mysterious pony who protected them on their journey to Canterlot. She gently laid a hand upon the doors, pushing them open with ease, much to her surprise. She felt the spells and wards she’d lain in place to keep Lucinda trapped still holding strong. Curiously, she entered. “Lucinda?” The interior of the palace was just as beautiful as the exterior. Of course, her youngest had always been the more fanciful and artistic. Physicians of the time were even under the impression she may have been a bit touched in the head, but Galaxia knew her daughter wasn’t simple or crazy… merely sensitive and delicate. Walking quickly through the halls and corridors, she searched for her daughter’s chambers. The palace was organized much like Canterlot castle, and she rightly assumed Lucinda’s chambers here were in the same place as there. Pausing at the door, she knocked softly. “…Lucinda? It’s mother.” She waited a moment before entering. “Lucinda, I’m not in the mood for games. Why did you allow me inside if you plan to…” The woman trailed off at the sight of her surprisingly human, but very pale daughter lying still on her bed. Hesitantly, she moved to Luna’s side. Her skin was cold to the touch; she’d been dead for days now, it appeared. Her horn was missing entirely, though it didn’t seem to’ve been cut off. Scowling, she whisked herself back to her palace in Equestria. A startled Page Turner looked even more pale and frightened upon seeing her Queen’s disposition. Galaxia focused on the mare. “What?” “N— news from the… the resistance, Divine Majesty. The initial incursion was a success h— however, when the combined royal guards and Lord Whiteskull’s… creations pursued the rebels deeper within the tunnels, they were met with r— resistance.” Galaxia’s frown deepened. “Surely they weren’t defeated. I sent five hundred guards, and who knows how many of Whiteskull’s creatures!” “W— well everypony returned safely. Unarmed, but… alive. They were told to… to bear a message to you.” Arms folded over her chest, the woman glared down, silently bidding her to continue. “A… human like you, with both wings and horn was there. She um… she said that the…” She swallowed. “That the Order of Harmony was intending to… to dethrone you.” Galaxia sat slowly in her throne. “Did any of those soldiers get a clear look at her?” “Yes, Divine Majesty. She was young, barely a mare they believe. Her armor and weapon were both a gleaming pink color. She wielded her sword to devastating effect, wiping out the undead nearly effortlessly. Others fought at her side. A sorceress with a powerful staff, and a unicorn mare wielding twin scimitars.” The Queen’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Did they describe the unicorn?” “Reports say she was hard to make out most of the time. Her form blurred and disappeared constantly, but she was a midnight blue hue.” Closing her eyes, Galaxia took a deep breath. “Somehow the girl has returned, and Lucinda is with them. No doubt Discord as well.” She again looked down upon her trembling aide. “…send word to our allies. All of them. Strengthen their borders, and send a summons to the dragons. Tell them I’ve a job for them, and they will be rewarded beyond their imagination if they succeed.” “Wh— what is the task, Divine Majesty?” Galaxia strode to her balcony, looking off in the distance. “Raze Ponyville to the ground. None are to survive.”